Biology and Medicine

The demands placed on instruments that are used in biology or medicine, and in particular that come into contact with the human body, are extremely high. A great deal of importance is attached to the surface quality of such equipment, which includes dental implants and artificial hip joints. There are also high expectations of both the reliable functioning and a long service life of such equipment – and these represent the biggest challenges of all.

Securing the functionality of lab-on-a-chip devices

Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices (LOC) implement a multitude of occurring processes on the smallest of spaces. You can use Polytec’s sophisticated quality products to check, for example, the dimensions of microfluidic channels and find out how deep and wide the channels are, to determine the volume or to localize the flatness of your entire “laboratory”. No matter what LOC applications you’re deploying, Polytec offers you the perfect high-resolution solution for flexible use.

The TopMap Pro.Surf with a large measuring field and high z-axis resolution records an entire LOC’s channel depths with just one measurement. The telecentric, optical configuration has a parallel light beam path, which can be used to measure the channel base almost entirely without any shadowing effects.

With the TMS-1200 TopMap µ.Lab, you can characterize microstructures’ surfaces with a very high lateral resolution. The optical profilometer contactlessly determines parameters such as texture, flatness, ripple and roughness on both fine and sensitive...

Monitoring Fill Levels in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Most pharmaceutical applications, such as aseptic filling operations, are benefiting from the advances being made in pump design, which guarantee a precise filling process. But deviations in the manufacturing process – such as diameter, wall thickness and flexibility tolerances, as well as hose stretching, compression, fatigue and wear – give rise to the risk of incorrect filling. Correct dosing thus very much depends on the liquids’ fill level. Once this process is complete, it is important to measure the fill level very accurately and very quickly.

Polytec’s TopSens products offer an automated solution to this problem – as they feature a fill level sensor system that can be integrated in the production line to monitor filling processes.

Highly Sensitive to Implants

Historically, strictly complying with a defined level of surface roughness has been the only way of inserting implants without any complications. That is why, to achieve this level of quality, it is immensely important to check the results using precise surface measurement systems after what can sometimes be a time-consuming surface treatment process.

Form deviations or roughness outside of defined tolerances can be extremely unpleasant in the sensitive inner mouth area, where dental implants come into contact with both the gums and microorganisms. In certain cases, some surfaces need to be given special treatment if the desired properties are to be achieved. “Organic coatings” increase the implants’ durability. Polytec’s range of precise surface metrology products helps you to detect deviations and thereby achieve the desired surface condition.

Practical Examples:

Another sensitive example is joint implants. The only way that the body can accept the implants and not simply reject them is if they have perfect surface properties. If artificial joints have too rough a surface, the probability of undesirable microorganisms forming increases. In contrast, shortcomings in the polishing process can have a negative impact on the implants’ service life. Using TopMap surface measurement systems from Polytec is the ideal way of ensuring that you find that perfect “middle ground” every time.

With the TMS-1200 TopMap µ.Lab, you can characterize microstructures’ surfaces with a very high lateral resolution. The optical profilometer contactlessly determines parameters such as texture, flatness, ripple and roughness on both fine and sensitive...